The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Ruling on quota a memorable achievement: Karunanidhi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Apr 12, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Ruling on quota a memorable achievement: Karunanidhi

Special Correspondent

“The dream of Tamil Nadu has at last materialised”

CHENNAI: The Supreme Court upholding 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes in Central educational institutions was a “memorable achievement,” Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said on Friday. “I am extremely happy that the dream of Tamil Nadu has at last materialised.”

In a letter to Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh, a copy of which was released to the press, Mr. Karunanidhi thanked him for his “exemplary efforts and constructive action to fulfil a significant social responsibility towards the welfare and advancement of backward classes all over the country.”

Mr. Karunanidhi said “champions of social justice and the socially and educationally backward classes were very happy when the UPA Government, headed by Dr. Manmohan Singh and guided by Thirumathi [Mrs.] Sonia Gandhi, in its historic and landmark legislation, provided [the] 27 per cent reservation…Now their happiness is doubled because of the fact that the legislation has been upheld” by the Supreme Court.

The legislation is the second step taken by the UPA Government towards attaining social justice, after the first step taken by the National Front Government headed by V.P. Singh 18 years ago providing 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in Central services, he said. “Though we have a long way to go to fully accomplish the principles of reservation for the uplift of backward classes who have been denied of their rightful opportunities for centuries, no one can dispute that this is a memorable achievement, which will have a prime place in the evolution of social justice in India,” he added and recalled Tamil Nadu’s role in keeping the issue alive through its appeals and an Assembly resolution.

Mr. Karunanidhi said he was happy that Mr. Arjun Singh was “already seized of the creamy layer issue. I am confident that you will solve this also quite successfully.”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu